House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 16 December 1691

Mercurii, 16 die Decembris; 3° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Campion's Will.

A BILL for the better enabling the Trustees and Executors of Richard Campion, deceased, to perform his Will, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Newport, Sir Math. Andrewes, Mr. Christie, Mr. Bowyer, Serjeant Trenchard, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Blowfeild, Sir Wm. Cooke, Sir John Dorrell, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Freeman, Sir Rob. Henly, Sir Rob. Edon, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Thornhaugh, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Tho. Darcy, Major Vincent, Mr. Cary, Mr. Waller, Mr. Neale, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Thomson, Sir Wilfred Lawson, Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Slater, Mr. Henley, Sir Jonath. Jennings: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Albury, &c. Lands Enfranchisement.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for Enfranchising of several Copyhold Lands and Tenements, holden of the Manor of Albury, and North Mims, in the County of Hertford, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Debtors Escapes.

Ordered, That the Bill for the better Relief of Creditors, and preventing Escapes, be read To-morrow Morning.

Bankrupts.

Ordered, That the Bill for the better Recovery, and more equal Distribution, of Bankrupts Estates, be read To-morrow Morning.

Plantation Servants.

An ingrossed Bill for the Registering of Servants that shall go to the Plantations, pursuant to Letters Patents granted for that Purpose, was read the Third time:

And the Question being put, That the Bill do pass;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Westminster Small Debts.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better recovering small Debts, and relieving poor Debtors in the City and Liberties of Westminster: And that Sir Tho. Clarges do prepare and bring in the Bill.

Privateers.

Then the House resumed the adjourned Debate of Monday last, touching the bringing in a Bill to encourage Privateers against France, and for the better securing the Trade of the Nation.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for Encouraging of Privateers against France, and for the better Security of the Trade of this Nation, upon the Debate of the House: And that Sir John Guise, Colonel Perry, Sir Thomas Clarges, Sir John Dorrell, Sir Samuell Bernardiston, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Papillion, Sir Ben. Newland, Mr. Gwyn, or any Three of them, do prepare and bring in the Bill.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

A Bill for granting to their Majesties the Sum of Sixteen hundred fifty-one thousand Seven hundred and Two Pounds, upon Land, towards the carrying on a vigorous War against France, was read a Second time.

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

A Petition of the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the Town and County of Southampton, was read; setting forth, That the Town, having been decaying for many Years past, are not able to bear that Share of Taxes as formerly; and being joined with Hampshire, and so receiving their Quota from the Commissioners of the County at large; and the Commissioners of the said Town not admitted to vote at the General Meeting of the Commissioners of the County; cannot hitherto obtain Redress: And praying the House would please to set their Quota of what Taxes shall be thought fit to be laid upon us, proportionable to other Places in their Condition.

And the Question being put, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the said Committee of the whole House;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Members of this House do, upon Saturday Morning next, present to the House the Names of Commissioners for the several Counties, Cities, and Places, as is usual, to be inserted into the said Bill.

Punishing Mutiny and Desertion.

Then the House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for paying the Army according to the Musters of effective Men, and for better Paying of Quarters, and likewise for Preventing of false Musters, and for punishing Mutineers and Deserters.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Resolved, That Mr. Attorney General do take the Chair of the said Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Attorney General took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Attorney General reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill; and made several Amendments; which they had directed him to report to the House.

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Friday Morning next.

Calne Election.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges and Elections do report the Matter touching the Election for the Borough of Calne in the County of Wiltshire, upon Friday Morning next.

Dover Harbour.

Resolved, That the House will, upon This day-sevennight, at Ten of the Clock in the Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the Repair of Dover Harbour.

Punishment of Offenders.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to take away Clergy from some Offenders, and to bring others to Punishment, be read a Second time To-morrow Morning.

African Trade.

Ordered, That Sir Rob. Rich, Mr. Pitts, Sir Hen. Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Wharton, Sir John Guise, Mr. Burridge, be added to the Committee to whom the Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Inhabitants of the City of Exeter, is referred.

Making Saltpetre.

Ordered, That Mr. Harley, Mr. Parkherst, Mr. Brent, Mr. Trenchard, be added to the Committee to whom it is referred to prepare and bring in a Bill for the Making of Saltpetre here in England.

Robert's Estate.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Bill for vesting certain Messuages, Lands, and Tenements, in Thorpe, Langton, and elsewhere, in the County of Leicester, in Trustees, to be sold for Payment of Debts of Richard Roberts, Esquire, and for raising Portions for his Daughters, was committed, be revived.

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