House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 18 January 1692

Lunæ, 18die Januarii; 3° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Clandestine trading to France.

A PETITION of Charles Lehardy was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner finding a Committee appointed to examine and consider of the Petition of Edward Tilford, Mariner, complaining of divers Persons trading to France, contrary to Law: And praying to be heard, as to the same Affairs.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Consideration of Edward Tilford's Petition is referred.

Curtis Estate.

A Petition of Rodeney Kelson was read; setting forth, That by a Bill brought down from the Lords, for the Sale of some Lands in the County of Somersett, to pay the Debts of Eliz. Curtis, Widow, deceased, the Petitioner is like to be much injured thereby, as to his Right to some Part of the said Lands; upon Part whereof he hath long since entered, in the Name of the Whole, to try his Title: And praying he may be heard, by his Counsel, against the said Bill, before the same doth pass.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Bill, intituled, An Act for the more speedy Payment of the Debts of Eliz. Curtis, Widow, lately deceased, and Performance of an Agreement touching the same made between Cha. Curtis in his Life-time, and Edy Erle, according to a Decree in the High Court of Chancery . . . . .

Earl of Salisbury's Estate.

Mr. Dolben reports from the Committee to whom the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better securing the Portions, Debts, and Legacies, given and owing by James late Earl of Salisbury, was committed, and to whom the Consideration of the Petition of Sir Richard Bulkly, Baronet, was referred, That they had considered the Matters to them referred; and conceived the Petition was needless; and had made an Amendment to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Table: Where the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; being Press 29, Line 8, after "said," leave out "James."

Moore's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for enabling Francis Moore, Esquire, to sell the Manor of Bay House, and Lands in West Thorock, in the County of Essex, and to purchase and settle other Lands, in lieu thereof, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be agreed to.

Ordered, That Mr. Smith do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendments.

Militia.

Sir John Guise reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the raising the Militia for the Year 1692, although the Month's Pay formerly advanced be not repaid, was committed, That they had made some Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Gunpowder near the Tower.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Wapping and Tower Hamlets was read; setting forth, That of late, divers Storehouses, wherein are constantly kept great Quantities of Powder, have been erected within the Hamlets, and not far from the Tower of London, for the use of private Persons dealing in Powder; among which, should any one blow up (being so near each other), would occasion the Blowing-up of the rest; and thereby not only endanger the said Tower, but many Hundreds of Houses, besides the Death of many hundred People: And praying, That, for the Prevention of such Dangers, as may arise from the Continuance of such Powder-houses, where they are erected, a Clause may be inserted in any Bill for their Security, as to the House should seem meet.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for preventing Gunpowder from being kept in Storehouses near the Tower of London: And that Colonel Goldwell do prepare and bring in the same.

Amending Highways.

Mr. Bowyer reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the Repair and Mending of the Highways, was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, some of the Amendments were agreed to, and others disagreed unto, by the House.

And a Debate arising upon some of the said Amendments;

Ordered, That the further Debate upon the said Amendments be adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Ten a Clock.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Mitton have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Cooke have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, for Recovery of his Health.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer acquaints the House, That his Majesty had been attended with the Address, That a convenient Place might be provided for the Commons of Parliament to sit in: And that his Majesty was pleased to say, That he doubted it would be difficult to find a convenient Place on a sudden; but that he had ordered the Surveyor and Comptroller of his Works to wait upon such Members of this House, as this House should appoint, to see whether this Building be substantial at present: And that, as soon as he had a Report from them, he would give such Direction as should be necessary.

Ordered, That the Surveyor and Comptroller of his Majesty's Works, Major Vincent, Sir Ja. Rushout, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Mountague, Dr. Barbon, or any Three of them, do view the Building of this House, pursuant to his Majesty's Directions; and report their Opinions therein.

Proposals for raising Money by Loan.

Mr. Foley reports from the Committee appointed to receive Proposals for raising a Sum of Money towards the carrying on the War against France, upon a Fund of perpetual Interest, That there appeared several Persons concerned in the Bankers Debts: Who said, they had short Notice, that they were to make any Proposals to the Committee: Some of them present, and others as they believed, would be willing to make Proposals: But they were not then ready to do so. At their desire the Committee gave them Time till the next Day: When they appeared again, and then brought a Proposal in these Words; viz.

"Whereas there is due to the Bankers, and their Assigns, and others, the principal Sum of Thirteen hundred and Forty odd thousands Pounds, out of the hereditary Revenue of the Excise, with an Arrear of Eight Years and Three-quarters Interest, at Six Pounds per Cent. at Christmas last."

"Now we, whose Names are hereunder written, who claim several Shares in the said Principal and Interest, do humbly propose, for ourselves, according to our respective Shares, That we will discharge all our Arrears of Interest; and advance a Sum equal to our Principal; provided that a perpetual yearly Interest of Six Pounds per Cent. for our former and new-advanced Principal Money may be established by Act of Parliament, with such Clauses and Penalties as shall be requisite for the due Payment thereof."

That this was subscribed by Six or Seven Gentlemen, whose Principal Money came to Twenty-nine thousand Three hundred and Seventy-eight Pounds.

That the same Day, several Gentlemen, Members of this House, being at the Committee, declared their Willingness to accept the same Proposals; whose Principal came to about Five thousand Four hundred Pounds.

That those concerned with Bankers said, They did believe, in a short time, they could get most of the People concerned to subscribe in like manner.

Upon which the Committee gave them time till Saturday: When they brought Six Papers, each containing the same Proposal subscribed by several Persons: Which amounted to Principal Money Thirty-nine thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-five Pounds.

At which time another Member of the House declared himself willing to accept the same Proposal, as to Part of his Debt, which was Five thousand Pounds Principal Money; but not as to the whole Debt, he not having taken out any Assignment from the Bankers concerned for Part of his Debt; nor was willing thereunto, unless he might have what Interest the Bankers had upon his Patent applied towards making of it good.

That those who appeared alleged for Reason, Why they could not bring it to any higher Sum, was, the Shortness of Time; that they could not speak with many Persons concerned: They said, None whom they had spoken with, who were Creditors of the Bankers, and had taken out their Assignments, did refuse; but there were Multitudes not yet spoken with: But the Bankers themselves, and those who had not taken out their Assignments, chiefly insisted, That they might prejudice themselves by any such Proposal, as to the Judgment they expected to have in the Exchequer for their Debt.

That some Members at the Committee insisted upon having the Interest of the Debt made Principal; and that, they said, would make all subscribe.

That, when the Committee first met, a Paper was brought; which proposed, That, on settling a yearly Rent of Sixty-five thousand Pounds, should be advanced One million; and Sixty thousand Pounds thereof to be for Interest, and Five thousand Pounds to Trustees, for Management, so as the Subscribers may be the Trustees; and that their Bills of Property should be current: In which Case they offer to advance Two hundred thousand Pounds to be ready as a Bank to exchange such current Bills as should be brought to be exchanged, the better to give Credit thereunto, and make the said Bills the better to circulate; and so as there be allowed Five Pounds per Cent. for the said Two hundred thousand Pounds for the First Year only, and a Tally to the said Trustees to pay themselves for the same.

And that the Committee were of Opinion, not to receive any Proposal which required the making the Bills of Property current, so as to force them on Payment on any without their Consent; but acquainted Mr. Paterson, who had made this Proposal, That they would receive any Proposal for advancing One million upon a perpetual Fund of Interest, to be in the Nature of a Purchase; where they might assign their Interest, as they please, to any who consented thereunto.

That Mr. Paterson then said, He believed the Gentlemen would come up to, and not insist upon having the Bill made current: But, the next Day, he said, on Discourse with the Gentlemen concerned, They would not further proceed; but he believed, that himself, and some others, might come up to advance Five hundred thousand Pounds, in this manner, Two hundred thousand Pounds . . which would be ready in a few Days; and, he believed, some others would come in to make it up Five hundred thousand Pounds.

That, on Saturday, . . appeared again; and then said, About Eighteen or Twenty Gentlemen had appointed a Meeting on Tuesday next, to consider of this Matter, and would be ready on Wednesday next to make an Answer; but that nothing certain was proposed to the Committee, on which they could rely.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider further of the Ways and Means for raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties for the carrying on a vigorous War against France.

Ways and Means.

Then the House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the said Supplies.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the said Committee, That they had come to several Resolutions; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Salaries, Fees, and Perquisites of all Offices under the Crown, except Five hundred Pounds per Annum to be allowed to such respective Officers (except the Salaries to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, the Judges, Foreign Ministers, and the Commission Officers serving in the Fleet and Army) for the said Offices; and also all Pensions granted by the Crown (except Pensions paid to the Queen Dowager and the Princess Anne of Denmark, and such other Pensions as shall be excepted by this House); be applied towards the carrying on a vigorous War against France.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, towards the Supplies for the carrying on a vigorous War against France, a Tax, by a Quarterly Poll, for One Year, be granted to their Majesties.

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

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That the Salaries, Fees and Perquisites of all Offices under the Crown, except Five hundred Pounds per Annum to be allowed to such respective Officers (except the Salaries to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, the Judges, Foreign Ministers, and the Commission Officers serving in the Fleet and Army) for the said Offices; and also all Pensions granted by the Crown (except Pensions paid to the Queen Dowager, and the Princess Anne of Denmark, and such other Pensions as shall be excepted by this House; be applied towards the carrying on a vigorous War against France.

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

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That, towards the Supplies for the carrying on a vigorous War against France, a Tax, by a quarterly Poll, for One Year, be granted to their Majesties.

Mr. Solicitor General also acquaints the House, That the Committee had directed him to move the House, That they might have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Ways and Means for raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties for the carrying on a vigorous War against France.

London Orphans.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, at Eleven a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means for satisfying the Debt due to the Orphans of the City of London.

Aulnage Duty.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for transferring the Collection of the Duty of Aulnage to the Custom-house, and giving a Recompence to the Crown for the same, be read upon Wednesday Morning next, at Eleven of the Clock.

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